Shuttle Imaging Radar Views of Some Geological Features in the Arabian Peninsula

Abstract

The Space Shuttle Endeavor, carrying Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR), has imaged selected parts of the Earth during two missions in April and October, 1994. The SIR instrument acquired remote sensing data in L, C and X bands. The main objective of the experiment was to assess the utility of radar images for multiple geologic, hydrologic and environmental applications. The geologic interpretation of the L-band image strips, over the Arabian Peninsula, reveals faults, folds, joints, details of harrats (basalt flows), karst terrain, and drainage systems beneath thin sand cover which are not visible on other remote sensing images (Landsat and SPOT) and are not shown on existing geologic maps.